From the Tomb to the Table

April 1, 2024 • Brock Tharpe • Luke 24:13–35

One of the most beautiful stories that we have in the Bible of the day Jesus was raised is the story of the two followers on the road to Emmaus. In the story, the two friends were returning home from Jerusalem after witnessing all that had happened to Jesus on Good Friday. While they were walking, the resurrected Jesus met them on the road, but his identity was hidden from them. It was over the course of their journey that they aired their disappointments and grievances with how the story had unfolded up thus far. They had thought Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel. They thought he would be the one to liberate their people from Rome. They had thought he was God's anointed. Apparently, he wasn't. The stranger on the road challenged their perspective on some things, but it was not until they invited him to eat with them and saw him break the bread that everything became completely clear. In this Easter message, Brock uses this familiar story to illustrate how we all are so often uncomfortable with how God brings His plans to completion. The fact is, most of us want to maintain some semblance of control. We want things to be done our way. But when we remember the reality that the tomb is empty, and that the Savior is no longer there but is inviting us to a table instead; we remember that the impossible is possible, and that even out of death, new life can spring forth.